Streaking Braves shoot for sweep of Mets

Unlike Kris Medlen, Tommy Hanson has been struggling on the mound for the playoff-contending Atlanta Braves.

Hanson aims to snap a four-start winless stretch this afternoon when the Braves, winners of four straight and six of their last seven contests, try to complete a three-game sweep of the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Yesterday, Medlen continued his dominating stretch, holding the Mets to two runs on four hits with two walks over six innings in an 11-3 final. The Braves have won Medlen's last 19 starts.

Conversely, Atlanta, which heads into Sunday tied with St. Louis atop the wild card standings, has lost the last three times Hanson has taken the mound. The right-hander was beaten 6-0 by the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, when he lasted 5 2/3 innings.

Hanson's last win came July 30 against the Miami Marlins. He's 3-5 with a 4.31 ERA in 10 lifetime games against the Mets.

The Mets counter with Chris Young, who is searching for his first victory at Citi Field. In seven career starts at the stadium, the righty is 0-4 with a 3.97 ERA. Young is coming off a victory at Miami on Sept. 2. He's 2-3 in six games against the Braves.

Brian McCann belted a two-run homer and a two-run double on Saturday for the Braves. McCann finished 4-for-5 after coming in with an 0-for-17 slump.

"This is what we're capable of (offensively)," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. The Braves had scored a total of five runs in their previous four games.

Lucas Duda knocked in two of the three New York runs, while rookie Jeremy Hefner (2-6) was tagged for five runs on eight hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings of work.

"He was missing with everything that he was throwing," New York manager Terry Collins said about Hefner.

The Mets have dropped four of five overall and 18 of their last 22 home games.